Ethanol Report on E15 Optimism

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. sales of E15 reached a record 1.24 billion gallons in 2024, an increase of 11% over 2023, according to a Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) analysis of data released by state agencies in Minnesota and Iowa.

While it appears the Trump administration will have to continue the practice of issuing waivers this summer to keep E15 at the pump, there are several reasons for optimism that this will be the last year that will be necessary.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman discusses a recent blog post he authored on the current growth of E15 and the potential for boosting the blend nationwide.

Ethanol Report 4-16-25 24:07

Audio interviews, presentations and photos from the NEC can be found in the conference virtual newsroom.

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Rollins Talks Ethanol With Fox News

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has taken a much more visible role in the new Trump Administration than previous agriculture secretaries, appearing three times this month already on Fox News, most recently this past Sunday.

In a wide-ranging interview with Shannon Bream, Rollins talked about a number of issues, from tariffs and trade to the price of eggs, and spent some time discussing the importance of ethanol.

“President Trump has been unequivocal in his support for ethanol and in his support for the year round sale for the E15. In fact, at the end of our last administration, we put that rule out. A court gutted that. So now we’re working on it again,” said Rollins. “We are hyper-focused on the energy independence and ethanol and biofuels is a very, very important part of that.”

Bream interviewed Rollins Sunday after spending time in White Cloud, Kansas interviewing former National Corn Growers Association president Ken McCauley and his family.

See the Rollins interview here or listen to the audio below.
Fox News Sunday interview with Sec. Rollins 9:03

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

Kansas Team Makes First ACE Fly-in

Cindy Zimmerman

LtoR: Doug Sommer and Tiffany Brooks, Rep. Mann, Jessica Monserrate with BASF and Taylor Williamson.

A group of ethanol supporters from Kansas made their first American Coalition for Ethanol DC Fly-in last month and were pleased to be able to have their voices heard on Capitol Hill.

Doug Sommer and Tiffany Brooks from East Kansas Agri-Energy were joined by Taylor Williamson, Kansas Corn Growers, and Jessica Monserrate with BASF on their Hill visits, which included getting to meeting with Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) of the state’s 1st district. “That surprised me, I didn’t know we were going to do that,” said Brooks of being able to meet with members of Congress.

The team visited other Congressional offices that were not as favorable toward ethanol as Rep. Mann. “It was good to see the other perspective of critics and have the potential to change their minds,” said Sommer.

Williamson, who is in charge of regulatory affairs for the Kansas Corn Growers, says their opposition meetings included the offices of representatives from West Virginia, Utah, and Montana. “We did have one meeting that was a little more combative but we weathered it through and it’s always good to hear the opposition instead of just listening to the champions all the time.”

2025 ACE Fly-in Kansas team 4:04

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Exports Top One Billion Gallons in 6 Months

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. ethanol exports have already topped one billion gallons just halfway through marketing year 2024/2025, up 27 percent increase from the previous year, according to the latest information from USDA.

U.S. Grains Council (USGC) director of global ethanol export development Alicia Koch says the sharp rise in ethanol sales contributed to an 11 percent increase in U.S. grains in all forms (GIAF) exports compared to last year’s data. “It’s a sign that the U.S. ethanol industry is ready and willing to handle increased global demand and the Council is effectively implementing its international marketing strategies to generate interest in biofuels across consumers and policymakers around the world,” said Koch.

Canada is maintaining its place as the top importer of U.S. ethanol, purchasing 19 million more gallons than at this point in the last marketing year, and the European Union is showing strong appetite for U.S. ethanol by importing 78 million additional gallons.

Other notable improvements include the development of exports to Brazil and Nigeria, nations that previously imported little to no U.S. ethanol. Ethanol exports to Mexico are up 68 percent, launching it into seventh place among U.S. ethanol’s largest trading partners.

“Building new demand is a pillar of the Council’s commitment to U.S. producers because of the financial benefits derived from diversified markets for U.S. ethanol, and we certainly see the potential for further breakthroughs in countries like Brazil, Nigeria, the Philippines and others,” Koch said.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, USGC

Stakeholders and Congress Want 45Z Extension

Cindy Zimmerman

Wednesday was the deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Treasury on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit and some members of Congress commented by introducing legislation that would extend the tax credit and limit it to renewable fuels made only from domestically sourced feedstocks.

Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced the bipartisan and bicameral Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act, as Representatives Tracey Mann (R-KS) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) introduced an identical bill in the House. The bill would extend the 45Z tax credit until December 31, 2034.

Additionally, this bill fixes the glaring flaw in 45Z that negatively impacts farmers wanting to sell feedstocks to the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry. If 45Z continues as-is, taxpayers are at risk of further subsidizing Chinese-used cooking oil and undermining the use of soy, canola, sorghum, and corn oil in renewable fuels.

Biofuels organizations that provided input to the Treasury agreed there needs to be an extension for the tax credit, which is already supposed to be in effect and is due to expire at the end of 2027.

“Thus, the three-year window intended by Congress is already closing and taxpayers do not yet have the clarity and certainty needed to make decisions about how best to position themselves to claim the 45Z tax credit,” wrote Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper in his detailed comments. “Given Treasury’s lengthy delay in proposing, finalizing, and promulgating 45Z regulations, we are encouraging policymakers to consider extending the duration of the 45Z tax credit.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings wrote, “Treasury should rapidly finalize 45Z guidance and include the technical guidelines for biofuel crops and carbon intensity calculator developed by USDA in the final 45Z rules, so ethanol producers and farmers can unlock new market opportunities,” and also called on Treasury to fully adopt USDA’s Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator (FD-CIC) and technical guidelines for biofuel feedstocks into 45Z.

Clean Fuels Alliance America urges Treasury to ensure a level playing field for American farmers, by eliminating penalties for speculative indirect effects assigned to U.S. crop feedstocks. Clean Fuels also urges Treasury to adhere to the legislative language indicating that co-processed fuels do not qualify for the credit.

ACE, aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Nebraska Ethanol Board Welcomes New Executive Director

Cindy Zimmerman

Ben Rhodes

The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) has confirmed Ben Rhodes as its new executive director. Rhodes had been serving as interim executive director since Feb. 12 and was made permanent by a vote of the NEB on April 9.

“I’m honored and excited to lead the NEB moving forward,” Rhodes said. “This is a transformative time in the renewable fuels industry, with great progress made and many opportunities ahead. The NEB, as the only state agency in the country devoted to the promotion and development of the ethanol industry, is in prime position to capture and create value for our state’s producers. Under my administration, the NEB will continue and advance our diligent work on behalf of this state.”

Rhodes first joined the NEB staff in 2022 as the ethanol program manager. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing the NEB’s research and technical projects, as well as contributing to policy and market development efforts. He holds a bachelor’s degree and has an MBA in progress, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“The NEB has a 50-year proven history of delivering results for the industry and Nebraska, and as executive director I will focus my efforts on continuing that trend,” Rhodes said. “I’d like to thank NEB board members and staff for their support, and I greatly look forward to working with Nebraska’s ethanol producers and our other partners to achieve the industry’s goals.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Partnership Aims to Decarbonize Marine Transportation

Cindy Zimmerman

The Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition (MiABC) and Green Marine have partnered to promote adoption of sustainable biofuels for improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Michigan and across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

“With 3,224 miles of shoreline – second only to Alaska – our state is a major hub for shipping on the Great Lakes,” says Hanna Campbell, MSC market development director and managing director of MiABC. “Partnering with Green Marine will be a great asset to our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of shipping by encouraging greater use of biofuels in commercial vessels.”

MiABC was founded in 2022 by Michigan Soybean Committee (MSC) and the Michigan Soybean Association to increase understanding and adoption of biodiesel and other advanced biofuels produced from renewable resources such as soybean oil.

Green Marine is the leading environmental certification program for the marine sector, with offices in Seattle, Washington, and in the Canadian cities of Quebec City, Quebec, and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Biodiesel, Boats, Soybeans

Senators Advocate for Stronger RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a bipartisan group of 16 senators this week in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to “restore integrity, stability and growth to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the U.S. biofuel sector by raising Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) levels for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels.”

In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the senators pressed EPA to implement multi-year RVO standards to provide certainty and growth for the biofuels industry. “We ask that the EPA raise RFS volumes for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels to levels that are consistent with production and availability, while ensuring an equivalent increase in total volumes to preserve demand across all categories of biofuels,” the senators wrote.

“Additionally, should EPA grant any small refinery exemptions, the gallons that would have been obligated to those refiners should be added back into the total number of required gallons, as intended by the structure of the RFS, so that the full volume of the RVOs is accounted for and the overall RVOs are not effectively reduced after the rule is finalized.”

This is in line with what the ethanol industry is asking of the administration. “These senators understand the importance of lower-cost, American-made renewable fuels to both the farm economy and drivers across the country,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We thank Sens. Grassley and Klobuchar, and their colleagues, for urging EPA to swiftly finalize strong Renewable Fuel Standard volumes to support American energy independence and economic strength.”

The letter was also signed by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Gary Peters (R-MI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Josh Hawley (R-MO).

During Tuesday’s hearing on tariffs before the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Grassley questioned U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer about the impact of tariffs on agriculture and suggested one way to support farmers would be to strengthen the RFS and raise RVO levels. “The administration could move very quickly to increase RVOs on the Renewable Fuel Standard so that farmers get more robust domestic markets for their crops,” said Grassley.

Listen to Grassley’s comments and Greer’s response here:
Senate Finance Hearing - Grassley and Greer 5:06

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News

U.S. Ethanol Exports Drop in February

Cindy Zimmerman

According to the latest trade monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), U.S. ethanol exports fell 30 percent in February, compared to the previous month, but remained on par with the same time last year at 138.7 million gallons (mg).

Half of all February shipments were directed to Canada and the European Union, with the remainder distributed among eight additional countries. Canada retained its position as the top destination for the 47th consecutive month, with exports easing 6% to 50.8 mg—representing 85% of all denatured fuel ethanol shipments. The European Union remained the largest market for undenatured fuel ethanol (36% share), though volumes fell 42% to a four-month low of 17.6 mg. Several other markets experienced notable shifts. Exports to the Philippines surged 33% to a nine-month high of 15.0 mg, while shipments to India dropped 62% to a five-month low of 13.3 mg. Mexico rebounded sharply, climbing 87% to 11.0 mg. In contrast, shipments to the United Kingdom declined 39% to a 15-month low of 8.6 mg, and exports to Colombia contracted 49% to a 14-month low of 6.8 mg. Other key destinations included South Korea (6.6 mg), Peru (6.1 mg), and Egypt (1.7 mg). Notably, Brazil and China were absent from the market in February.

Meanwhile, exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS) increased 5% in February to 849,645 metric tons (mt), while year-to-date DDGS exports are down by 12%.

Mexico clung to its position as the top destination with shipments falling 45% to 127,203 mt—the lowest monthly volume in nearly four years. South Korea boosted its purchases by 12% to 118,840 mt, while exports to Colombia surged more than sevenfold to 73,911 mt. On the downside, shipments to Vietnam fell 28% to an eight-month low of 67,106 mt, and exports to Canada declined 14% to 57,618 mt. Other major markets included Indonesia (56,398 mt), the European Union (53,205 mt), Turkey (41,835 mt), Japan (41,351 mt), and New Zealand (30,000 mt). The remaining fifth of exports were dispersed among 29 additional countries.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Iowa Reports 45% Jump in E15 Sales, Record B20

Cindy Zimmerman

Retail sales of E15 in Iowa jumped 45 percent last year compared to 2023, and a record number of biodiesel gallons were sold, according to the latest Iowa Department of Revenue 2024 Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Annual Report.

The report showed E15 sales hit a record 257 million gallons in the state last year with 516 million gallons of biodiesel blends were sold last year, driven by record sales of B20 and higher blends that hit 245 million gallons.

At the end of 2024, more than one in three Iowa fuel stations offered E15, and E15 and higher blends accounted for nearly 20 percent of Iowa gasoline sales in 2024. The state’s E15 Access Standard, which requires most retailers to offer E15 for sale, takes effect January 1, 2026.

“The massive growth in E15 sales reflects the success of Governor Reynolds’s E15 Access Standard,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “We’re on a record-setting track that shows when consumers have increased access to E15 they choose the cleaner burning fuel that saves them 15 to 20 cents per gallon. Retailers are on track to meet the year-end E15 Access Standard deadline. Farmers are also benefiting from increasing corn demand that stimulates local economies.”

This report follows the recent United States Department of Agriculture announcement of $537 million in grants under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) and the recent record amount of grants totaling almost $3 million from the latest Iowa’s cost-share Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) meeting. According to these recent announcements, there are hundreds more stations that will soon be offering E15 across Iowa.

Last month, Iowa’s cost-share Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) awarded almost $3 million in grants for Iowa fuel retail locations to add E15 to 111 retail sites throughout the state before the end of the year. In addition, another they already had another 145 applications to be considered at the next RFIP board meeting later this month.

Biodiesel, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News